View of the rock from the east [Tiruchchirappalli]

Photograph of the rock in Tiruchchirappalli in Tamil Nadu, from the 'Photographic Views of Trichinopoly' ([Madras,] 1858) collection, taken by Linnaeus Tripe in c. 1858. The city has been a major site for Hindus since the 7th century AD and was occupied successively by the Pandyas, Cholas, Vijayanagara governors and the Nawab of Arcot. The town is situated on the Kaveri River and is dominated by a granite rock rising more than 83 metres. This is a view looking over the roofs of the town towards the hill fort that is crowned by a modern Ganesha temple (Ucchi Pillaiyar Koil), reached by 437 steep steps. Carved into the southern face of the rock are cave temples. The Upper Cave Temple dates to the Pallava king Mahendravarman I (reigned 570-630) and has a columned hall and a small shrine; the Lower Cave Temple dates to the 8th century, Pandya era, and consists of a columned mandapa with two side shrines.